JosephSmith-Matthew
Overview
Joseph Smith-Matthew is an excerpt from Joseph Smith's broader project to revise the King James Bible, known as the Joseph Smith Translation (JST). Published in the 1851 Pearl of Great Price, this text specifically targets Matthew 23:39 and the entirety of Matthew 24. Smith claimed prophetic authority to restore 'plain and precious truths' that had been lost or corrupted in the biblical text over centuries. The primary structural change Smith makes is reorganizing the verses to clearly delineate the chronological events: first, the signs concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (fulfilled in 70 AD), and second, the signs concerning the Second Coming of Christ and the end of the world. Theologically, Smith inserts several key phrases not found in any ancient Greek manuscripts of Matthew. He explicitly defines the 'end of the world' as 'the destruction of the wicked.' He modifies the concept of the elect by adding 'who are the elect according to the covenant,' tying eschatological preservation to Latter-day Saint covenantal structures. Furthermore, he adds the mandate that 'whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived,' and concludes with a reference to the 'prophecy of Moses' regarding the wicked being cut off. For Latter-day Saints, this text is foundational for eschatology, emergency preparedness, and the belief in Joseph Smith's divine calling as a restorer of ancient texts.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ (Son of Man) - The prophesying Lord who foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and His own glorious, unmistakable return to gather the elect and judge the wicked.
- The Disciples - The audience who privately ask Jesus for the signs of His coming and the end of the world, representing the faithful seeking prophetic guidance.
- Daniel the prophet - An Old Testament prophet cited by Jesus to validate the prophecy of the 'abomination of desolation' concerning Jerusalem.
- Noah - An Old Testament patriarch used as a historical type; the apathy and wickedness of his generation parallel the spiritual state of the world prior to the Second Coming.
- Moses - An Old Testament prophet cited at the end of the text (an addition by Joseph Smith) prophesying that the wicked will be 'cut off from among the people.'
- False Christs and False Prophets - Eschatological deceivers who will show great signs and wonders in an attempt to deceive even the elect.
- The Elect - Identified specifically as those 'according to the covenant,' who will be gathered from the four quarters of the earth by angels.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Prophetic Revision of Scripture
Assertion
The text asserts that the biblical record of Matthew 24 is structurally and textually deficient, requiring a modern prophet to reorder verses and insert missing phrases to convey Christ's true meaning.
Evidence from Text
By the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator,—Joseph Smith. ... (or the destruction of the wicked, which is the end of the world.)
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical Christianity, the doctrine of Sola Scriptura and the science of Textual Criticism dictate that the Bible is reliable based on the transmission of thousands of ancient Greek manuscripts. No ancient manuscript of Matthew contains Joseph Smith's reordering or his specific additions (e.g., 'elect according to the covenant'). Evangelicals view Smith's work not as a translation, but as an eisegesis or a 'targum'—an interpretive paraphrase that inserts 19th-century theology into the first-century text. This violates the evangelical understanding of the closed canon and the sufficiency of Scripture (Revelation 22:18-19, Jude 1:3).
Covenantal Election
Assertion
The text redefines 'the elect' not merely as those chosen by God, but specifically as those who are participants in a specific covenant.
Evidence from Text
...if possible, they shall deceive the very Elect, who are the elect according to the covenant.
Evangelical Comparison
By adding the phrase 'who are the elect according to the covenant,' Joseph Smith shifts the biblical concept of election. In Evangelical theology (particularly Reformed traditions), election is unconditional and based solely on God's sovereign choice before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-5, Romans 9). In Latter-day Saint theology, 'the covenant' refers to the restored gospel ordinances (baptism, temple endowments, etc.). Thus, election becomes conditional upon human obedience and participation in LDS priesthood ordinances, subtly shifting salvation from Sola Gratia (grace alone) to a synergistic framework of grace plus covenantal works.
Epistemological Preservation through the Word
Assertion
Spiritual deception in the last days is avoided specifically by 'treasuring up' the word of the Lord.
Evidence from Text
...and whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived, for the Son of Man shall come...
Evangelical Comparison
The mandate to 'treasure up my word' is a sound biblical principle (Psalm 119:11). However, the theological gap emerges in the definition of 'the word.' For the Evangelical, this means the 66 books of the closed biblical canon. For the Latter-day Saint, 'the word' inherently includes the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the ongoing teachings of the living LDS prophets. Therefore, avoiding deception in the LDS paradigm requires adherence to extra-biblical revelation, which Evangelicals view as the very source of theological deception.
Endurance as a Prerequisite for Salvation
Assertion
Final salvation is contingent upon a believer's ability to endure in faithfulness and obedience to the end of their life.
Evidence from Text
...but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Evangelical Comparison
While the phrase 'he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved' is present in the KJV Matthew 24:13, its application differs. In Evangelical theology, endurance is the *evidence* of genuine saving faith, not the *cause* or *requirement* to earn it (1 John 2:19). Justification is a one-time, forensic declaration by God (Romans 5:1). In LDS theology, salvation (specifically exaltation) is a probationary process. Enduring to the end means continually keeping covenants, repenting, and performing works of righteousness. If one fails to endure, they lose their exalted standing, directly contradicting the Evangelical doctrine of the assurance of salvation and Sola Fide.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The primary gap lies in textual authority and the nature of election. Joseph Smith alters the biblical text without manuscript evidence, violating Sola Scriptura, and redefines the 'elect' as those who participate in LDS covenants, violating Sola Gratia.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between Joseph Smith-Matthew and Evangelical Christianity is rooted in Bibliology and Soteriology. Bibliologically, Evangelicals hold to Sola Scriptura and the closed canon. The text of the New Testament is established through rigorous textual criticism of over 5,800 Greek manuscripts. Joseph Smith's revision of Matthew 24 introduces structural changes and theological insertions (e.g., 'elect according to the covenant') that possess zero manuscript support. By accepting this text, Latter-day Saints elevate the authority of a modern prophet above the historically transmitted biblical text, fundamentally altering the basis of truth. Soteriologically, Smith's addition of 'according to the covenant' shifts the biblical doctrine of election. In Evangelicalism, election is an act of God's sovereign grace (Ephesians 1). By tying election to a 'covenant'—which in LDS theology requires priesthood ordinances, temple rituals, and continuous obedience—the text subtly replaces justification by faith alone (Sola Fide) with a synergistic system of works-righteousness.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a very old, precious letter from your great-grandfather. You and your family have thousands of copies of this letter to make sure no one ever changes what he said. But then, someone comes along and says, 'Actually, your great-grandfather meant to say this,' and they write new sentences into the letter without showing you any old copies to prove it. That is what Joseph Smith did with Matthew 24. Evangelical Christians believe we should only trust the thousands of ancient copies we have (the Bible). Also, in this new version, it says you have to be part of a specific 'covenant' (like a special club with rules) to be saved. But the Bible teaches that Jesus saves us completely for free, just by trusting in Him, not by joining a special club or doing enough good works.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
Altering the biblical text of Matthew 24 without any ancient manuscript evidence, relying solely on modern prophetic claims.
Sola Gratia
Redefining election as being 'according to the covenant,' making God's choice contingent upon human participation in ordinances.
Sola Fide
Emphasizing endurance and covenant-keeping as the mechanism for final salvation, rather than resting in the finished work of Christ.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"The Elect"
In This Text
Those who are chosen 'according to the covenant,' implying participation in restored gospel ordinances and obedience to LDS structures.
In Evangelicalism
Those whom God has sovereignly chosen for salvation by grace, not based on foreseen human works or covenantal participation (Romans 9:11, Ephesians 1:4).
"End of the world"
In This Text
Explicitly defined in the text as 'the destruction of the wicked.'
In Evangelicalism
The consummation of the current age (aion), culminating in the final judgment and the creation of the New Heavens and New Earth (Revelation 21).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Being preserved from the destruction of the wicked at the Second Coming, and ultimately achieving eternal life.
How Attained: By enduring to the end, treasuring up the word, and being part of the elect 'according to the covenant.'
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based on constant vigilance, readiness, and active obedience ('blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh, shall find so doing').
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text lacks any mention of grace or faith as the sole instrument of salvation. Instead, it heavily emphasizes human action: enduring, fleeing, praying, watching, and doing. This contrasts sharply with Romans 4:5, where salvation is credited to the one who 'does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly.'
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Take heed that no man deceive you
- Stand in the holy place
- Flee into the mountains (for those in Judea)
- Let him who is on the house top flee, and not return to take any thing
- Neither let him who is in the field return back to take his clothes
- Pray ye the Lord that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day
- Believe him not (if they say here is Christ, or there)
- See that ye be not troubled
- Go not forth (if they say he is in the desert)
- Believe it not (if they say he is in the secret chambers)
- Watch therefore
- Be ye also ready
Implicit Obligations
- Treasure up the word of the Lord to avoid deception
- Endure to the end despite abounding iniquity and waxing cold of love
- Maintain the covenant to remain among the 'Elect'
- Be a faithful and wise servant, giving meat in due season
- Recognize the signs of the times (parable of the fig tree)
Ritual Requirements
- Participation in 'the covenant' (implied by the phrase 'elect according to the covenant')
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- I noticed Joseph Smith added the phrase 'elect according to the covenant' to Matthew 24. What covenant is he referring to here?
- If we look at the ancient Greek manuscripts of Matthew 24, none of them have the changes Joseph Smith made. How do Latter-day Saints reconcile the lack of historical evidence for these additions?
- The text says 'he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.' How do you know if you are enduring well enough to be saved?
- When Jesus says 'whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived,' how do we determine what His true word is if the Bible has been altered?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire to not be deceived by false Christs.
Latter-day Saints have a deep, genuine desire for truth and fear being deceived by the world. We can bridge this by showing that the ultimate protection against deception is the unchanging, historically verifiable Word of God (the Bible) and the true Jesus it reveals, who offers grace freely.
The gathering of the Elect.
The longing to belong to God's chosen people and be gathered to Him is a beautiful desire. We can share that this gathering is not based on our ability to keep a rigorous set of temple covenants, but on the loving, sovereign grace of a Shepherd who gathers His sheep simply because they are His.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The text repeatedly emphasizes that salvation and avoiding destruction are contingent upon 'enduring to the end,' 'treasuring up the word,' and being found 'doing' when the Lord returns. This places a heavy psychological burden on the believer, who can never be truly certain they have done enough, endured enough, or kept the covenant perfectly enough to be safe at the Second Coming.
By teaching that the Bible is corrupt and requires modern prophetic correction, the believer is stripped of an objective, historical anchor for truth. They must rely entirely on subjective feelings and the shifting words of modern leaders to know they are not being 'deceived,' creating a subtle but pervasive anxiety about spiritual truth.